Carmel approves budget, raises for mayor, officials

A 180-year-old home on East 136th Street in Carmel could be demolished to make way for a subdivision of duplex-style villas and ranch homes. The Hamilton County home was built in 1837, just two decades after Indiana became a state.
Dwight Adams/IndyStar

The Carmel City Council on Monday unanimously approved the city's $141 million budget, a 7.6 percent increase that comes with no tax rate hike.

The budget includes more spending across the board, including for debt service, road paving, grants to arts organizations, employee raises, three new police officers, a community liaison in the fire department, 600 new trees, wayfinding signs for attractions and additional dollars for community festivals such as the Christkindlmarkt.

The city's tax rate will remain 78 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, which Mayor Jim Brainard said is the lowest of any major city in the state.

The budget includes a 6.55 percent raise for Brainard and 3 percent raises for the City Council, clerk treasurer and judge.

Brainard's annual salary will be $139,052. He remains the state's second highest paid mayor to Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who makes $142,096.

Councilman Ron Carter said he tried to convince council members the mayor deserved a higher raise. It's not a new topic. In 2017, a consultant recommended the mayor receive a $50,000 raise that the council ultimately voted against. Many were concerned because the mayoral salary can never be decreased under state law, even if a new mayor they feel is less qualified is elected.

"'Mr. Mayor," Carter said, "I have to apologize to you. I said to you a year ago I would try very hard to get you an increase in salary that I thought was commensurate for the job you have been doing for many years for all of the citizens of Carmel."

The mayor, for his part, thanked the council for the raise.

"None of us are doing this for the outstanding compensation," Brainard said. "But what has been discussed and approved is appreciated."

City Council members will make $20,448. Judge Brian Poindexter will make $127,099 and Clerk Treasurer Christine Pauley will make $109,951. Poindexter and Pauley are the highest paid elected city officials at their positions in the state.

The city also provides Brainard a leased vehicle for personal and business use, and covers the cost for maintenance, repairs, cleaning and gasoline. The mayor on May 27 signed a 3-year lease on a 2017 Fusion, obligating the city to pay $599.42 per month, which totals $21,579. After the lease expires, the city has the option to buy the vehicle for an additional $17,000, which would total $38,579. The Fusion's retail is $32,028, according to the lease.

Most city employees also will receive 6.55 percent raises, in line with the recommendation of the consultant, Ohio-based Archer, the city hired last year.